Introduction: With the influx of new,
different, some exciting, others not so much, companies with varying
interpretations of what a bass rod should be, there are a few tried, true, and
enduring manufacturers that just get it right - for the most part anyway. One of a handful companies that
consistently makes fishing rods we look forward to testing is G.Loomis. From GLX to NRX to the recently introduced Conquest and on, these sticks are among
our favorites to fish. Somewhere around mid-2017, the company shared with us their plans to unify and simplify their mid-range product offering. We shared this news during our coverage of ICAST 2018.

Our first detailed look at G.Loomis's IMX-Pro!

Essentially the company plans to consolidate their technique specific models into one singular lineup - IMX-Pro. The initial offering includes twenty seven (27) technique specific models in support of applications ranging from topwater to moving baits to bottom contact. For our first peek into the series, we decided to go WTF (What the Finesse) and check out the new, IMX-Pro DSR822S.

G.Loomis DSR822S IMX-ProSpecifications

Material

Unspecified blend of high modulus graphite

Length

6'-10"

Line Wt.

6-12lb

Lure Wt.

3/16-1/2oz

Pieces

One

Guides

9+tip Fuji K-frame guides

Rear Handle Length

9

Power Rating

Mag-Medium

Taper

Extra Fast

Rod Weight

3.7

Origin

Made in USA

MSRP

$324.99

Impressions:
As someone who prefers and appreciates a clean hierarchy in product lineups, I always found it confusing and a bit chaotic the way G.Loomis had grown a little sideways with their former technique specific series. It's easy to understand where GL3, IMX, GLX, NRX, etc., fit in terms of pecking order but just where did crankbait, spinnerbait, shakyhead, jerkbait, etc., fit into that scheme? Not to mention the species specific Mossyback and Bronzeback (smallmouth).

Matched with a Shimano Sustain 2500 FG.

While I appreciated the availability of all those different sku's, for me,
when it came to G.Loomis it always came down to one of the three lettered product lines - especially the ones ending with an "X".

The rod's reel seat is pretty straight forward.

Speaking of which, the DSR822S IMX-Pro is a six foot, ten inch (6'-10"), light powered spinning rod built with an extra-fast taper and Fuji K-framed guides with Alconite inserts. It features a very clean, full cork grip with a Fuji reel seat. There is an open ended hook keeper on the top side of the blank just above the foregrip. It is a very simple, and clean build.

The grip assembly is a standard, full grip and made of good quality cork.

Casting: I've always found the label of this technique very misleading. Think about it, a "drop" shot. Doesn't this lead you to believe it is only a vertical fishing technique best fished straight up and down? That's how I felt once upon a time when I first started fishing this technique while testing the legendary Megabass F3-610DGS. Up until that time, my finesse technique of choice was a split shot rig, which for those who are uninitiated is simplified and downsized version of a Carolina rig.

Guides are Fuji, K-Framed Alconites.

What I came to realize is you can cover a lot more water effectively by actually casting the drop shot rig out and slowly fishing it back to the boat. The method of retrieve can vary from using your reel, or slowly dragging your weight along the bottom with the rod tip, then pausing to take in the slackline and start again. The important thing here is to get the bait out where you want so you can cover that fishing zone.

The hook keeper is open ended and ideal for stowing drop shot weights.

As you might expect, the DSR822S IMX-Pro loads perfectly fine and makes it easy to cast (or drop) your bait where you want no matter how long or short your leader might be.

It's rated down to three sixteenths of an ounce (3/16oz) in lure weight and I generally stayed within this range going up to maybe a quarter ounce (1/4oz) at the highest. The waters we were fishing did not call for anything heavier and generally, the lighter (or more importantly smaller) the weight you can fish with this technique, the better.